Anyone stay at Bonnett Creek,next to Epcot?

[disneydad78]

Has anyone stayed at bonnett Creek,,next to Epcot??Was wondering what everyone thought about the place..

 

[Brian Noble]

Do a search; there are lots of great threads on the place.

Bonnet Creek is the reason I bought Wyndham (resale, of course) and I'm glad I did.

 

[Southernswthrt1]

IT IS AWESOME!!!

WAY better than any Disney resort and you couldn't be any closer. Pure luxury. Stayed there in December and can't wait to go back. Wish I could afford to buy the timeshare.

 

[Ariel70]

We stayed at Bonnet Creek last Christmas and New Years. We love it! It is beautiful, extremely convenient and a nice break from all the Disney stuff.

I would recommend that you have your own car or rent one because the shuttle service to the parks is very limited.

 

[garmich]

I would recommend that you have your own car or rent one because the shuttle service to the parks is very limited.

We're going to Bonnet Creek in August. We bought the timeshare during our last trip. We're staying in Bldg. #1 (Torra de la Tierra) on the 6th floor overlooking the lake.

How "limited" is the shuttle service to the parks. I'd like to avoid paying Disney $11 per day to park if I can.

Does anyone have a shuttle schedule that they can post or send me?

Gary

 

[lindsey]

I would be interested in the shuttle schedule too. We are staying with my parents Jan09.

 

[Southernswthrt1]

I don't have the schedule of the shuttle service for Bonnet Creek, but it is very limited.

We rented a car in December, and it was great. It's very easy to get around and in most cases quicker than Disney Transportation. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. We had a rental and I felt that it provided MUCH more freedom than using their busses.

 

[froggygrrrl]

We are owners at Bonnet Creek. We never rent a car when we go, and have never had a problem with the shuttle service. We were very pleased when we went in February and the shuttle service had about doubled their times (from when we were there in October).

I know everyone likes to bash Bonnet Creek's shuttle service, but I really don't think it is bad. Yes, you may have to plan your departure time a little around the bus schedule, but at least you know what time the bus will arrive/depart. We have experienced waiting and waiting and waiting for certain Disney buses to come around, to no avail. So far we have had no problems with Bonnet Creek.

 

[garmich]

We are owners at Bonnet Creek. We never rent a car when we go, and have never had a problem with the shuttle service. We were very pleased when we went in February and the shuttle service had about doubled their times (from when we were there in October).QUOTE]

What are the departure times in the morning? Will you get to the parks for "rope drop"? Are there any mid-afternoon shuttles from Bonnet Creek and from the parks back to Bonnet Creek? And, what about, at park closing? Are there different shuttles for each park, or do the shuttles stop at each park?

Also, do you need to reserve a spot on the shuttle? Were there any problems with shuttles filled to capacity? Bonnet Creek is huge, so if everyone at the resort wanted to use the shuttle in the morning or at park closings, there could be a big problem.

Thanks,
Gary

 

[froggygrrrl]

What are the departure times in the morning? Will you get to the parks for "rope drop"? Are there any mid-afternoon shuttles from Bonnet Creek and from the parks back to Bonnet Creek? And, what about, at park closing? Are there different shuttles for each park, or do the shuttles stop at each park?

Also, do you need to reserve a spot on the shuttle? Were there any problems with shuttles filled to capacity? Bonnet Creek is huge, so if everyone at the resort wanted to use the shuttle in the morning or at park closings, there could be a big problem.

Thanks,
Gary

In February, the morning departure times for MK and Epcot were on the :00 and :30 from 8am through 12:30pm (the same bus goes to both); the bus for AK and DHS were on the :15 and :45 from 8:15am through 12:15pm. There were also afternoon departure times from Bonnet Creek to the parks, but they were a little more scattered (like once an hour or so).

The pick-up return times were different for each park and typically didn't start until mid-afternoon (except for the 12:15 return from MK).

Now, these times were different from when we were there in October, so I don't know if they change seasonally or if Bonnet Creek is still trying to see what times work best. We'll be back there in September, so I might have a better idea then.

You don't have to reserve a seat or a time or anything. Just show up outside the front entrance and you'll be good to go! We never had a problem getting to the parks for rope drop or any other time for that matter. I would even say that the earlier morning buses were pretty empty. Once in a while we would have to stand on the return buses, but not too often, and it was usually to allow other people to sit instead. There was never any issues with everyone staying at BC leaving or returning at the same time! Don't worry about that at all!

Honestly, we never had a problem with the buses at all. I really don't understand all the hatred for the Bonnet Creek bus system. I don't think it was any less convenient than waiting around for Disney buses.The BC buses were always on time. We knew exactly when and where to catch our bus. No problems whatsoever.

Now, if you are the type of person who wants to have absolute freedom to come and go as you please, then the buses might not be your best bet. When we go on vacation, we don't want to deal with traffic and driving and lookin for street signs and all that. We do that enough at home. So, the buses work out just fine for us.

Hope some of this helps! Please let me know if I can answer any other questions for you!

 

[Lisa P.]

As the resort continues to grown, it sounds like they're doing a good job of increasing shuttle service to meet the demand. That's great!

Was there any additional charge for using the bus shuttles? Thanks!

 

[froggygrrrl]

As the resort continues to grown, it sounds like they're doing a good job of increasing shuttle service to meet the demand. That's great!

Was there any additional charge for using the bus shuttles? Thanks!

Nope, no additional charge! Although there were quite obvious tip baskets in all of the buses.

 

[lindsey]

Do the shuttle busses go to Downtown Disney too?

 

[froggygrrrl]

Do the shuttle busses go to Downtown Disney too?

Yes, but the first bus to Downtown Disney isn't until about 3:30 (when we were there).

 

[N.E. Vacationers]

We just returned from Bonnet Creek. We stayed in Building 4 great view of the fireworks at Epcot.
We rented a car to get to the grocery store, going out to eat. We used the shuttle service for Epcot, Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney

Here is the schedule (April 1-15th) just to give you an idea. I know it changes all the time. but this may help. You can also maybe call and ask them to fax or email you a schedule before you get there so you can plan ahead.

TO: Epcot and Magic Kingdom started at 8-8:30 9-9:30 10-10:30 11-11:30 12-12:30. again at 2:45, 4:45, 5:45, 6:45, 7:45, 8:45 they also have more time available for extended park hours.

TO: Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom they started at 8:15, 8:45, 9:15, 9:45, 10:15, 10:45, 11:15, 11:45, 12:15 and again 3:30, 5:30, 6:30, 7:30

TO: Downtown Disney
3:30, 5:30, 7:30, 9:30, 11:45pm also may have extended hours listed depending events/happening.
We drove to downtown Disney it is very close to resort,no more than 2 miles..if that... plenty of FREE parking and really nothing happens in downtown disney until the late afternoon. We drove one day and took the bus at night. We did Disney Quest in the afternoon and then took the bus back for the nightlife.

Returns
MK - 12:15pm, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10:45 and we had extended hours available 11:30pm & 12:30am.
Epcot- 3:15, 5;15, 6:15, 7:15, 8;15, 9:15, 10:15
Hollywood Studios (MGM) - 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, Extended- 10, 10:45
Animal Kingdom - 4:15, 6:15, 7:15, 8:15
DownTown - 5:45, 7:45, 9:45, 12:00am

We didn't have any problems at all and beats sitting in traffic to get into the parks parking lot and paying to park. We actually took the wrong bus one time !! We wanted to go to Epcot and we ended up in Downtown Disney the driver was great dropped off his passeengers at Downtown Disney he went over to Magic Kingdom to drop off passengers there and told us to take a different bus (Disney)to Epcot pointed to the bus stop. We went over got in line and went over to Epcot. He said no problem happens all the time and we are more than happy to get you another bus..... I thought that was great !! They drivers are really cool!! The buses do get busy so they do ask that you get there atleast 10min. before buses leave. They were on time the week we were there so make sure you are on time also......yea we had to stand sometimes but that is life when you are at Disney !!!! If you get there early we will be first inline !! Sometimes the buses were full sometimes there were plenty of seats !! We didn't complain it was FREE ! Gave the driver a buck or two but some didn't give at all ! It's up to you.
The resort is wonderful.... We are owners there and building 6 and the Hotel are going up quickly !!! The construction was not a problem because they are on the other side of the lake. They were doing landscaping around Building 4 & 5 and bringing furniture into building 5 !!!
My daughter had a great time with the activities!! The computers are FREE of use you have to signup and they give you a 1/2 hour time slot. There was only 1 computer our of 4 working !!! They were getting them back the day we left but I had no problems.
Hope this helps out with any bus questions, Like I said call ahead and ask them to fax you a copy !! they may !!!
Can't wait to go back in the Fall

 

[Leggo my Eggo]

Love Bonnett Creek!

 

[mousey]

Bonnet Creek is the best!! We were there 4/11-4/16 in the newest bldg. floor 12--view of the lake. It is truly a 5 star resort. Its not that they wait on you hand and foot, they just have everything available to make your vacation great! Can't wait to go back!